Some thoughts on Cash

Over the weekend, I had a heated discussion with some young fellows about the nature and character of Johnny Cash. I thought it would be important to set the record straight.  I do not dislike Johnny Cash, nor do I consider him a minor deity who graced us with a gravely magic voice. He was a man. Like Elvis. Who recorded a few great songs and a lot of mediocre ones. Like Elvis.

I hung my Head is one of my favorites at the moment. Even though it's technically a Police song, I Hung my Head is pure Cash. It's a story about a regretful incident bringing a sad end to an otherwise regretful life. Like Elvis'.

Cash was at his best when he was singing like a palpable answer to Tex Ritter, case in point, the folk ballad "Same Hall." Imagine if all of  Blood in the Saddle had been performed by Johnny Cash? Awesome, that's what you're Imagining-- pure awesome.